Vol. 471 No. 7
168 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the number of times the neonatologist has visited the neonates in the maternity unit in the Louth County Hospital in the 1995-1996 period, for which funding was provided by him for an outreach service in neonatology in the Louth and Meath areas. [21898/96]
Limerick East): I have had inquiries made of the North Eastern Health Board in the matter and it has advised that the position is as follows. A consultant neonatologist was appointed in August 1996 to the International Missionary Training Hospital (with a 10/1 session commitment to the North-Eastern Health Board). This consultant post was to provide regional neonatal service in the North East. Since her appointment, the consultant has been engaged in detailed planning with the board's management regarding the delivery of services and staff training.
It is planned that the neonatologist will be involved in the provision of an increased level of out-reach clinics to Dundalk, which will also include examination of new-borns at the hospital. Meanwhile, consultant paediatric services continue to be provided by the International Missionary Training Hospital in line with previous arrangements. It is envisaged that the consultant neonatologist will commence services at Louth County Hospital within the next two months.
